Removable and Remountable Trim Molding

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus and kit for installing molding such as baseboards and crown molding to a residential or commercial dwelling. The molding is attached to the dwelling by a magnetic bond which can be easily broken without damaging the molding and the structure. A magnet and magnetic conductor are affixed to the trim and dwelling respectively to removably secure the trim to the dwelling. The magnet and magnetic conductor can include an adhesive layer for securing each. The magnetic apparatus provides ease of initial installation of the trim and ease of the removal and replacement of the trim when painting and installing flooring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a method of attaching trim molding to a structure and to a greater degree the invention is directed to the installation of baseboards and crown molding using a magnetic attachment.

BACKGROUND

Many designs and types of ceiling/wall moldings are found in today's home decorating market. When first installed, they hide any uneven painting done when either walls or ceilings were first painted. For the non-expert, moldings not only decorate a room, they also hide errors in construction or painting. However, when a ceiling or wall needs repainting, the job becomes difficult, since it is not easy to avoid getting paint on the thick molding.

Current standard installation practices of trim are done using fasteners such as nails or staples. Once the trim has been put in place it is not easily removable. Trim is typically removed to change the appearance of the permanent structure (wall, ceiling or flooring) or to change the appearance of the trim itself. Appearance change can include painting, wallpapering, and texturing or new floor installation. During removal, the trim is often broken or damaged from tools used to remove or release the fasteners. Once the trim is removed, the trim needs to be reinstalled with fasteners. Fasteners create holes which are then filled and color matched, typically touched up with paint.

Standard practice of painting or texturing the permanent structure is an issue for non-removable trim for the typical non-skilled person. If the trim is not removed, the trim is taped off at all top and outer edges to insure the product being applied is not accidentally applied to the trim. Once the appearance change has been completed, all tape must be removed.

When painting the trim itself tape is used to cover the floor and structure to insure that unwanted paint does not come in contact with those items. This process of painting can also require precise painting skills. Once the application of paint to the trim has been completed, all tape must be removed.

When installing flooring and wallpaper, each must be cut precisely to match any imperfections in the structure or trim. The imperfections typical with this type of installation are then hidden with caulking, or left imperfect and unfinished.

Using the standard practices to apply liquid compounds such as paint or texture as described above, have several drawbacks. The preparation time to tape off the desired area, whether it is the trim itself or the permanent structure is time consuming and labor intensive. Using tape is not precise and can still cause unwanted results. Removing the tape can be messy. Applying the tape or painting the trim, especially floor trim, can put you in uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time. Often times, you are in a crouched or sitting position and scooting every couple of minutes to apply tape or change the appearance of the trim. When reinstalling the trim, you have to fill the holes created by the fasteners. It also becomes necessary to touch up the fill area with a color match, typically with paint.

Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for securing trim to a structure which can be easily removed for painting of installing flooring in the structure.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for installing molding to a structure wherein the molding can be easily removed without damaging the molding or the structure. The molding is attached to the structure using magnets by securing the molding to the structure using the magnetic bond between a magnetic conductor and magnet. In one embodiment, the magnet is secured to the trim and the conductor is secured to the structure. In a further embodiment, the magnet and conductor combination can reside substantially flush within a recess in the trim and are secured using an adhesive layer. The present magnetic apparatus provides ease of initial installation and ease of the removal and replacement of the trim when painting and installing flooring.

In greater detail, the present invention includes a removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings of structure such as a residential and commercial dwelling. The trim molding includes a magnet attached to the trim molding and wherein the magnet is adapted to be coupled to a magnetic conductor attached to structure. The magnet can reside within a recess in the trim molding. In an embodiment, the magnet extends substantially the length of the trim molding. Additionally, the conductor can extend the same by being substantially the length of the trim molding attached to the structure.

In a further embodiment the magnetic conductor attached to a trim molding with the magnetic conductor is adapted to be coupled to a magnet attached to structure. The magnetic conductor may reside within a recess within the trim. The recess may be sized to have a depth such that the trim is substantially flush with the wall surface of the structure when the magnet and magnetic conductor are coupled together to form a magnetic bond.

An additional embodiment includes a removable and remountable trim molding kit for ceilings and walls of structure. The kit includes a magnet and a magnetic conductor. The magnet includes a first surface along with the magnetic conductor includes the same where an adhesive layer is attached to at least one of the first surfaces of either the magnet or magnetic conductor. The second surfaces of the magnet and magnetic conductor operatively align to form a magnetic bond.

Furthermore, the kit includes a trim piece having a recess whereby the recess is operatively sized to house the magnet or conductor. A release paper may be include and operatively aligned with the adhesive layer to aid in installation. Additionally, the adhesive layer may reside on both the magnetic conductor and the first surface of the magnet.

A further embodiment includes a method of securing the removable and remountable trim molding to a structure including providing both a magnet and conductor. The method then includes affixing the magnet to the trim molding and affixing the magnetic conductor to the structure. The affixation of the magnet and magnetic conductor may also be reversed in a further embodiment. The magnet and magnetic conductor are operatively aligned to secured the trim and molding to the structure.

DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present method and apparatus showing a perspective view of one embodiment of the trim molding having a recess for receiving the magnetic bonding assembly;

FIG. 2 depicts a further embodiment of the apparatus showing the magnetic bonding assembly including the magnet and the magnetic conductor in cooperation with each other and further shows an embodiment having an adhesive layer and release paper adjacent to the adhesive layer; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus and method in a perspective view showing the trim molding attached to a wall of a structure, the trim piece includes a recess having the magnetic bonding assembly with the magnet and the magnetic conductor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is an apparatus and kit for installing molding such as baseboards and crown molding to a structure. The molding is attached to the structure using magnets by securing the molding to the structure using the magnetic bond between a magnetic conductor and magnet. The installed molding is easily removed without damaging the molding or the structure by the simple breaking of the magnetic bond.

In one embodiment, the magnet is secured to the trim and the conductor is secured to the structure. In a further embodiment, the magnet and conductor combination can reside substantially flush within a recess in the trim and are secured using an adhesive layer. An additional embodiment includes a kit providing a magnet and magnetic conductor and a trim piece configured to house each to facilitate the installation of the trim. The present magnetic apparatus provides ease of initial installation of the removal and replacement of the trim when painting and installing flooring.

In greater detail, the removable and remountable trim molding secured by a magnetic bond to a structure includes various embodiments. The magnetic bonding assembly includes both a magnet and magnetic conductor which can be assembled in various configurations to bond a molding trim to a structure. The term “trim” is inclusive such trim moldings as baseboards, crown moldings, window and door trim and door jams and the like. The term “structure” includes the walls and ceilings or most any building or dwelling where trim may be applied.

The term “magnetic conductor” is inclusive of any material attracted to a magnet to form a magnetic bond. By way of example and not limitation the term may include most any metal such as a thin sheet or even a wire mesh. Additionally, some metallic paints may have sufficient bonding potential. The term “magnet” is inclusive of any material or object that produces a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the magnet is a permanent magnet or a material that creates its own persistent magnetic field. An embodiment includes a metallic permanent magnet.

In one embodiment, the magnetic bonding assembly includes the trim molding having a magnet attached to the trim and the magnetic conductor attached to the structure to which the molding is applied. However, such an arrangement may be revered. For example, the magnetic conductor may be attached to the molding trim and the magnet to the structure.

The magnet can reside within a recess in the trim molding to help the molding sit flush with the wall or ceiling of the structure. The recess is sized such that the trim piece is substantially flush with a surface of a structure when the magnetic bonding assembly comprising the combination of the magnet and magnetic conductor reside with the recess. The term “substantially flush” includes the appearance of unity between wall or structure and the trim, but allows for some gap between the trim and wall that does not detract from appearance. In an embodiment, the gap formed between the trim and wall surface may be such that caulking may be used as in some traditional installations if so desired by the installer.

Additionally, it is contemplated that in an embodiment the magnet may extend substantially the length of the trim molding. The conductor may also extend the same by being substantially the length of the trim molding to be attached to the structure. However, both do not need to extend the substantial length together. For example, the magnetic conductor may extent the length of the trim but the magnet component may be spaced apart and attached to the trim, with the reverse also being true.

The present apparatus also includes a kit for removable and remountable trim molding. The kit includes a magnet and a magnetic conductor. The magnet includes a first surface and the magnetic conductor includes the same where an adhesive layer is attached to at least one of the first surfaces of either the magnet or magnetic conductor. The second surfaces of the magnet and magnetic conductor operatively align to form a magnetic bond.

It is contemplated that the kit includes the magnetic bonding assembly being provided having both the first surfaces of the magnet and magnetic conductor having an adhesive layer. Typically, the adhesive layer further includes a release paper preserving the adhesive. The term “paper” is used generally and includes most any material including plastics. The adhesive may be a contact or pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive of course should be stronger than the bond created between the magnet and the magnetic conductor.

The kit can further include any tool useful in creating a recess within the molding such that the magnetic bonding assembly can reside therein and enable the trim to sit substantially flush with the wall or ceiling of the structure. Such tools can include a router or bit by way of example and not limitation.

The magnetic bonding assembly must have both the first surfaces of the magnet and the magnetic conductor in contact with the wall and/or trim to form the mechanical or chemical bond. The magnet and the magnetic conductor do not need to be in physical contact in an embodiment, only that a magnetic bond is formed between the second surfaces of the two to securely hold the trim to the wall. Such an arrangement will enable the trim to sit totally flush with the wall and aid in preventing the need to caulk the wall.

Furthermore, the kit can include the trim piece having a recess whereby the recess is operatively sized to house the magnet or conductor. Additionally, the trim piece may include a preinstalled magnetic assembly within the recess, such that only the first surface of one of the magnetic components requires an adhesive layer to attach to the wall or ceiling of the structure.

A further embodiment includes a method of securing the removable and remountable trim molding to a structure. The method includes providing both a magnet and conductor. The method then includes affixing the magnet to the trim molding and affixing the magnetic conductor to the structure. The magnet and magnetic conductor may be affixed chemically in one embodiment using an adhesive and in a further embodiment mechanically. Additionally, both methods for affixing may be used in combination. The affixation of the magnet and magnetic conductor may also be reversed in a further embodiment. The magnet and magnetic conductor are operatively aligned and secured to the trim and molding to the structure.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3 depict the present apparatus and method in various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present apparatus and method showing a perspective view of one embodiment of the trim molding 12 having a recess 10 for receiving the magnetic bonding assembly 2. The recess 10 may be sized to fit the magnetic bonding assembly 2 and the trim molding 12 may have a plurality of recesses 10 for receiving a plurality of assemblies 2. Furthermore, the recess 10 may extent substantially the length of the trim 12 for receiving one or more assemblies 2. The trim 12 may be any type of trim including baseboards and crown molding.

FIG. 2 depicts a further embodiment of the apparatus showing the magnetic bonding assembly 2 and the magnet 4 and the magnetic conductor 6 in cooperation with each other. Additionally, FIG. 2 further shows an embodiment having an adhesive layer 8 and release paper 16 adjacent to the adhesive layer 8. Both the magnet and the magnetic conductor 6 may have an adhesive layer 8 and/or release paper 16 in an embodiment. While shown having a particular shape, the magnetic bonding assembly 2 may have most any shape including round, square, and rectangular. The magnet 4 and the magnetic conductor 6 need not be the same shape.

FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus and method in a perspective view showing the trim molding 12 attached to a wall 14 of a structure, the trim piece 12 includes a recess 10 having the magnetic bonding assembly 2 with the magnet 4 and the magnetic conductor 6.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. A removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings, the trim molding comprising: a magnet attached to a trim molding and wherein the magnet is adapted to be coupled to a magnetic conductor attached to structure.
 2. The removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings of claim 1, wherein the magnet resides within a recess in the trim molding.
 3. The removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings of claim 1, wherein the magnet extends substantially the length of the trim molding.
 4. The removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings of claim 1, wherein the magnetic conductor extends substantially the length of the trim molding to be attached to the structure.
 5. A removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings, the trim molding comprising: a magnetic conductor attached to a trim molding and wherein the magnet conductor is adapted to be coupled to a magnet attached to structure.
 6. The removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings of claim 1, wherein the magnetic conductor resides within a recess in the trim molding.
 7. The removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings of claim 1, wherein the magnetic conductor extends substantially the length of the trim molding.
 8. The removable and remountable trim molding for walls and ceilings of claim 1, wherein the magnet extends substantially the length of the trim molding to be attached to the structure.
 9. A removable and remountable trim molding kit for ceilings and walls, wherein the kit comprising: a magnet and a magnetic conductor, the magnet having a first surface and the magnetic conductor having a first surface; and an adhesive layer attached to at least one of the first surfaces of either the magnet or magnetic conductor, and wherein the second surfaces of the magnet and magnetic conductor are operatively aligned to form a magnetic bond.
 10. The kit for a removable and remountable trim molding for ceilings and walls of claim 9, further including a trim piece having a recess whereby the recess is operatively sized to house the magnet or conductor.
 11. The kit for a removable and remountable trim molding for ceilings and walls of claim 10, wherein the recess is sized such that the trim piece is substantially flush with a surface of a structure when the combination of the magnet and magnetic conductor reside with the recess.
 12. The kit for a removable and remountable trim molding for ceilings and walls of claim 9, further including a release paper operatively aligned with the adhesive layer.
 13. The kit for a removable and remountable trim molding for ceilings and walls of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer resides on both the first surface of the magnetic conductor and the first surface of the magnet.
 14. The kit for a removable and remountable trim molding for ceilings and walls of claim 9, further including a trim piece including the magnet residing within a recess of the trim piece and the magnet affixed to the trim piece and operatively aligned with the magnetic conductor having the adhesive layer.
 15. The kit for a removable and remountable trim molding for ceilings and walls of claim 9, further including a trim piece including the magnetic conductor residing within a recess of the trim piece and the magnetic conductor affixed to the trim piece and operatively aligned with the magnet having the adhesive layer.
 16. A method of securing removable and remountable trim molding to a structure, the method comprising: providing a magnet; providing a magnetic conductor; affixing the magnet to the trim molding; affixing the magnetic conductor to the structure; and operatively aligning the magnet and magnetic conductor and securing the trim molding to the structure.
 17. The method of securing removable and remountable trim molding to a structure of claim 16, wherein the magnet is mechanically affixed to the trim molding.
 18. The method of securing removable and remountable trim molding to a structure of claim 16, wherein the magnet is adhesively affixed to the trim molding and the magnetic conductor is adhesively affixed to the structure.
 19. A method of securing removable and remountable trim molding to a structure, the method comprising: providing a magnet; providing a magnetic conductor; affixing the magnetic conductor to the trim molding; affixing the magnet to the structure; and operatively aligning the magnet and magnetic conductor and securing the trim molding to the structure.
 20. The method of securing removable and remountable trim molding to a structure of claim 19, wherein the magnetic conductor is mechanically affixed to the trim molding. 